Thailand has expressed strong interest in expanding trade and investment with Bangladesh, citing the country's economic potential, young workforce, growing middle-class consumer base and expanding private sector.
Speaking as the chief guest at the annual networking dinner held alongside the 20th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Bangladesh Thai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BTCCI) in Dhaka on Saturday, Thai Ambassador to Bangladesh Thitiporn Chirasawadi said Bangladesh offers promising opportunities for trade and investment.
She said bilateral economic relations remain below their potential despite the two countries' long-standing cultural ties, geographical proximity, complementary markets and shared regional platforms such as BIMSTEC.
The ambassador stressed the need to move beyond traditional trade and develop broader partnerships in investment, industrial cooperation and regional connectivity.
Highlighting the importance of a proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA), she said the deal could significantly boost bilateral business and expressed hope that the commerce ministries of both countries would work proactively towards its implementation.
She also acknowledged existing connectivity challenges and said Thailand was committed to working with Bangladesh to improve transport and logistics links.
Presiding over the event, BTCCI President Shams Mahmud said there was considerable scope for expanding bilateral cooperation in pharmaceuticals, jute and jute products, leather, tourism, hospitality, infrastructure, power and agro-processing.
He said the trade imbalance between the two countries should be addressed by increasing Bangladesh's exports to Thailand and sought the support of the Thai Embassy in identifying practical measures to facilitate trade.
Mahmud said BTCCI, in collaboration with the Thai Trade Center under the Royal Thai Embassy in Dhaka, would work to strengthen business-to-business engagement. He also emphasised the importance of launching direct shipping services between Thailand's Ranong Port and Bangladesh's Chattogram Port, facilitating exchanges of business delegations and expanding cooperation in sectors including textiles and ready-made garments, power and energy, electrical goods, food processing, seafood, handicrafts and religious tourism.
He also announced that BTCCI plans to lead a business delegation to Thailand in September 2026 to explore new trade and investment opportunities.
BTCCI Senior Vice-President Md Munir Hossain called for closer collaboration between the business communities of the two countries.
Senior Vice-President of the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) Razeev H. Chowdhury, BTCCI Vice-President Hossain A. Sikder, Minister Counsellor of the Royal Thai Embassy Anusorn Kautipvittaya and business leaders from both countries attended the event.